Abercrombie and Fitch Co. (ANF) is a specialty retailer that operates stores selling casual apparel, sportswear apparel, personal care products and accessories for men, women and kids under the Abercrombie and Fitch, Abercrombie, Hollister and RUEHL brands. With a customer base that is primarily under thirty years old, ANF was established in 1892 by David Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch. ANF operates in the US, the UK and Canada and is headquartered I New Albany, Ohio with over 20,000 employees. As a “near to luxury” retailer, ANF operates in an apparel industry which straddles high to low end merchandise. Its’ main competitors include : American Eagle, Aeropostale, Gap and J- Crew. Their focus on capturing a young market has created a rivalry, which forces them to be innovative and creative in delivering fashionable mechandise. As a result, their competitive strategy involves not only marketing their products through stores, but via catalogs and e- commerce activites.
SWOT ANALYSIS, ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH
A scan of the internal and external environment is essential in any firm’s strategic planning process. A SWOT analysis defines the internal and external environmental issues with which a firm must address in its strategic planning process. This type of analysis specifies the internal and external factors that are favourable and or unfavourable to the firm achieving its business objectives. It guides the firm in matching its resources and other capabilities to the challenges of the competitive environment in which it operates. Internal factors can be classified as personnel, finance and manufacturing capabilities. Examples of external factors can include inter alia, macroeconomic matters, technological change, legislation, sociocultural and competition.
Strength
• Solid financial position.
• Effective Marketing Strategy.
• Strong Market Position.
• Strong Brand Equity.
• Good reputation.
Weakness
• High cost